Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Houston, TX: $53.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Houston, TX runs $53.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $110,349 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Houston's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.6, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $53.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,211 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Houston, Texas, the physical therapist hourly pay is projected to reach $53.05 in 2026, which is above the national median of $50.62. This higher wage reflects the demand for physical therapists in various practice settings, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and sports performance centers. For part-time physical therapists working three days a week, this rate can lead to a substantial income, while those in per-diem roles typically enjoy flexible schedules and can earn between $38.55 and $70.23 per hour. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the scale, while experienced therapists can command rates at the upper limits, highlighting the diverse earning potential within this profession as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.55 | $308.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.52 | $372.13 |
| Median (P50) | $53.05 | $424.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.87 | $502.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70.23 | $561.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Houston
Based on $53.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.05/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Houston, TX can expect to earn approximately $110,352 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $63,665. With a cost-of-living index of 98.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Houston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Houston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,122.15 | $9,196 | $110,352 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,273.29 | $5,518 | $66,211 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $848.86 | $3,678 | $44,141 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Houston) | $53.05 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in Houston, TX earn a median of $110,349 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.81% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 3.00% above the Texas state average of $107,135.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.05/hr = $66,211/year (purchasing power: $67,132).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $110,352/year (purchasing power: $111,886).
CoL index: 98.629 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $53.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Houston grew 21.7% from $42.56/hr (2019) to $51.78/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.36/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houston metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in Houston
Examining the earning potential for part-time employment, a physical therapist working 24 hours per week in Houston could realistically take home a comfortable income compared to full-time counterparts. Per diem physical therapists often see hourly pay between $50 and $75, while travel contracts yield substantial weekly earnings of $1,800 to $2,800, underscoring the lucrative opportunities in this sector. Conversely, cash-pay specialists in high-cost-of-living markets can bill clients anywhere from $150 to $250 hourly, appealing to those seeking better financial rewards without the constraints of traditional insurance models. However, those working in outpatient orthopedic clinics typically find compensation slightly lower when compared to hospital or rehabilitation settings, yet may enjoy benefits such as health insurance. This environment necessitates ongoing negotiation skills, as therapists may need to weigh the trade-offs between lower hourly rates with comprehensive benefits against higher hourly rates that lack such perks, ultimately shaping their professional journey in Houston's evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Houston, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Houston in 2026?
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Written by Alex Morgan, DPT
Career Analyst
Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in Houston. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov